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The former world champion has spoken out after the death of US chess star Daniel Naroditsky, describing the 29-year-old's loss as a tragedy while accusing critics for launching what he termed an "unprecedentedly cynical and illegal campaign of harassment" against him and his loved ones.

Former Champion's Response

The fifty-year-old ex-champion, who has faced broad criticism for accusing Naroditsky of digital foul play without evidence, offered sympathies but rejected any personal attacks.

"Despite the tensions, I was the only person in the chess community who, observing through footage Daniel's obvious health issues a day before his death, publicly called for him to receive help," Kramnik declared. "The subsequent attempts, immediately following his passing, to explicitly connect this sorrowful incident to my name … cross all boundaries of basic human morality."

Kramnik said his earlier calls for a review of Naroditsky's digital games had been ignored "despite a significant amount of evidence", and claimed he would provide material to "appropriate officials". He mentioned his lawyers were drafting civil and criminal suits over "unfounded claims" that have led to threats against him and his family.

Investigation Details

The demise of the grandmaster may have been the result of a drug overdose and is being investigated as a possible suicide, according to a police report issued last Thursday. A report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department indicates Naroditsky was found dead Sunday evening and classifies the case as a "Death/suicide/overdose/Sudden/Natural Death Investigation."

"Last Sunday, October 19 at approximately 07:11pm, officers answered an emergency medical request in the area of 9000 Colin Crossing," the document states. "When they reached the scene, an unconscious individual was located and later pronounced deceased by a medical professional."

Community Reaction

Anger over Kramnik's conduct has dominated the chess world. Hikaru Nakamura called his behavior "appalling", while reigning champion Carlsen described it as "horrible". GM from India Sarin, who played Naroditsky in his last digital game, accused Kramnik of "causing a death", saying his self-appointed pursuit against alleged rule-breakers was ineffective and "totally inappropriate".

Naroditsky's Legacy

A graduate of Stanford and ex-youth titleholder, Naroditsky amassed over 800,000 followers on Twitch and YouTube. Referred to as Danya, he was praised for his wit, insight and modesty, becoming a prominent figure in chess's COVID-period surge. He was also one of the world's finest players under shorter time controls, finishing ninth at last year's speed chess title event in New York.

Naroditsky consistently denied the allegations but admitted the impact they had taken on his psychological well-being. "Ever since the Kramnik stuff, I feel like if I start doing well, people suspect foul play," Naroditsky remarked in his last online broadcast.

Official Responses

The World Chess Federation announced recently it was "looking into" Kramnik's actions. "The way Kramnik approaches it simply can't be accepted," Fide CEO Emil Sutovsky commented. The organization intends to commemorate Naroditsky with a tribute prize.

Federation president Dvorkovich later verified that all of Kramnik's public statements about Naroditsky, before and after his death, would be referred to the federation's disciplinary body "for independent consideration".

"Life and human worth are core principles shared by all of us," Dvorkovich emphasized. "Our global chess family has long respected the achievements of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such stature brings a duty to uphold the principles of equity and consideration."

Family's Hope

Naroditsky's relatives have expressed they wish he is recalled not because of the hostility he endured but for "the joy and inspiration he brought people every day". Magnus Carlsen described him "an asset to chess", while Nakamura described him as "the best of us".

• Within the United States, individuals may contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline on 988, communicate via 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to reach a crisis counselor.
• In the UK and Ireland, The Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.
• In Australia, the emergency help line Lifeline is 13 11 14.
• Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.